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July, 2017

I am starting a new scratch-build project - a Chesapeake Bay flattie.

I am using plans drawn by Howard I. Chapelle as shown in his book, American Small Sailing Craft. Full-size plans (at 1:16 scale) are available from the Smithsonian.

The lines for these plans were taken off an existing boat that was built around 1880 or 1890. This boat was also called a "handscraper" because it was used to drag an oyster dredge that was raised and lowered by a manually operated "winder" or winch.The original was 25' 8-1/4" between perpendiculars so the model at 3/4" scale (1:16) will be just over 20-1/2" between perpendiculars. Because of the rudder, the overall length will be a bit longer.

At the time of starting the model (July 15, 2017) I do not yet have the plans from the Smithsonian, so I am using the table of offsets provided in the book to draw up the molds for each station. As of July 16, I have all the molds drawn as well as the keelson. Wood cutting starts tomorrow!

July 17, 2017

Today, I got the top parts of the molds and the keelson cut out. There is still a part of the molds that goes between the sheer line and the build board that I haven't cut out yet. There's also more work to do to the keelson, such as cutting out the centerboard notch. And, the molds will have to be beveled before I glue them down to the build board. So a ways to go yet before I start planking, but it's beginning to look like a boat!

Molds

Molds and Keelson

July 24, 2017

A couple of days ago, I got the first plank on the starboard side. As of today, there are two planks on each side and I've started planking the bottom. The remaining side planks will get added after I install the side frames.

Chine Log

Planking

July 26, 2017

I now have the bottom planked, two planks on each side of the boat, and all the side frames installed. There will be one more side plank and a wale added to this.

Frames

Planking

July 26, 2017

Sides are now fully planked. Next step will be to put the deck clamps inside the frames and them make and install the deck beams.

Planking

Stem

August 5, 2017

The centerboard trunk, platform under the hold and cockpit, and the deck beams are in. I just got all the deck beams in today. When they are good and dry tomorrow, I will sand them all even so the deck planks will lay flat. Next step is to make the coamings for the cabin, hold, and cockpit, then the deck planking can go on.

Deck Beams

Deck Beams

August 13, 2017

Spent the last few days making all the coamings and planking the deck. There is a rub rail that will cover the transition between the deck planking and the side planking. Haven't made that yet. Then there a toe rail that will go on top of the deck near the outside edge. Haven't made that yet either.